Breastfeeding: Part 1 of 1,000,000

I'm sure I'll circle back to this topic often! Breastfeeding in public.

I've done it. I love it. I support it for all. I think all places of employment, public bathrooms and more should be retrofitted with Nordstrom-style mommy rooms for breastfeeding. But I can't muster up the gumption to do it in front of any male family members. In fact, while I'm comfortable in front of friends or almost any female visiting me in my own home, there are female family members I'm not sure about. Would I whip out a boob to feed my daughter in front of my mother-in-law? If it were just us and in my home, I probably would. But I might feel a little weird, or pause first. And if we were at her house, I would probably go in the other room to feed the baby.

In front of my father-in-law, my father, either of my brothers or any other male family member? Close male friends? No way, man! I have fed the baby in public, in plain view of many a male passerby and it didn't bother me at all. But my breast being exposed to those near and dear to me just feels strange, even if for perfectly natural and functional reasons.

I think this is because I worry about the comfort of my family members and male friends. In part, I think it's also for my husband's sake - no matter the situation, I doubt he wants to think about his brothers or his dad having seen my boobs. If I'm really honest with myself, I have to admit that the core issue is I'm simply not comfortable breastfeeding in front of certain people. I think this discomfort stems from seeing boobs only as something sexual, not functional. This is something I've just always understood about breasts, whether I was even aware of it.

This Kristina Kuzmic video (I found it on Upworthy) pokes fun at our cultural designation of breasts as purely sexual. She uses comedy to make some great points! I have to admit that even as a breastfeeding mom, I struggle to embrace my boobs as the functional wonders they are.

I hope that at some point, breastfeeding in public will not even be a topic for discussion. Women who need to feed their babies while out and about will do so without hesitation or reservation. And women rockin' cleavage will also freely go about their business!

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